Bookings for NZ Michelin star restaurants explode minutes after awards announced

Thursday, 2 July 2026

Tussock Hill head chef Adam Harrison, wearing his Michelin star chefs coat, after the Christchurch restaurant was awarded a star on Tuesday evening.

Bookings for restaurants awarded Michelin stars are going through the roof, with many chefs and restaurateurs still floating on air after receiving hospitality’s most prestigious honour.

Within moments of the restaurants being named on Tuesday evening, foodies were logging on to websites to secure a table.

Tussock Hill restaurant on Huntsbury Hill in Christchurch.

Fourteen eateries around the country were awarded one star, which suggests “high quality cooking, and worth a stop”, while just one - Queenstown’s Essence Restaurant by ROKI Collection - received two stars, signifying “excellent cooking that is worth a detour”.

Christchurch’s Tussock Hill Vineyard and Cellar Door Restaurant in Cashmere received a Michelin star and 153 bookings on Tuesday night - a huge spike from several a day, co-owner Melaina Targett said.

She knew there would be a few bookings as a result of the accolade, but when she looked at the reservations, she “kept scrolling and kept scrolling”, she said.

Inati owner and head chef Simon Levy says the restaurant in central Christchurch had more than 100 bookings within 90 minutes of him walking off stage with his Michelin star.

The bookings, which continue to flow in, stretch throughout the rest of the year, she said.

Tussock Hill’s head chef Adam Harrison, known for foraging and sustainably sourcing food, joined the team in November and attended the Michelin gala on Tuesday night in Auckland.

“He was very excited,” Targett said. “He said it felt surreal.”

Ortega Fish Shack on Majoribanks Street, Wellington has a new plaque to hang outside its humble exterior.

It was the first award for the family-owned business after nearly five years of service.

Simon Levy, owner of Inati fine dining restaurant in Christchurch, also noticed an increase in reservations as soon as he accepted the Michelin star on stage, he said.

“We had over 100 in 90 minutes.”

But the “most amazing” aspect was the messages and calls from friends, family and supporters around the world, including a primary school teacher who helped him through dyslexia in class, he said.

Tantalus Estate is one of two restaurants on Waiheke Island that received a Michelin star on Tuesday night at the Auckland gala.

Moving from the UK 13 years ago, Levy said he instantly gave up on the hope of being recognised by Michelin, as the culinary award hadn’t arrived in New Zealand.

“It’s a dream coming true, it’s beyond belief.”

Michelin’s focus this year was on cities, including Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Queenstown, but Levy hoped it would “only get bigger”, encompassing regions like North Canterbury, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Hamilton next year.

Miro Christchurch breakfast, brunch and lunch cafe is planning to open evenings as a direct result of the Michelin award. Pictured, head chef Troy Tolentino.

The 110 establishments across New Zealand recognised in the Michelin Guide all received a plaque identifying their status.

In Wellington, Ortega Fish Shack co-owner Davey McDonald was “absolutely blown away” after receiving a Michelin star, almost 17 years after opening the family-owned restaurant.

He said the phone had been ringing “non-stop” since the announcement, and locals had been stopping at the restaurant to congratulate the team.

Being in hospitality his entire career, McDonald said it was an “honour to be able to look after people and show them a good time”.

“All of a sudden to get a massive award for doing that, we’re really lucky.”

Further north at Tantalus Estate on Waiheke Island, where a star was awarded, marketing manager Shantala McNeish said there was “an immediate spike in bookings and social media followers overnight, almost as soon as the announcement was made”.

“It’s been quite surreal.”

Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant on Waiheke Island also received a star.

The effects of Michelin’s recognition isn’t restricted to the highest accolade.

Central Christchurch cafe Miro was one of 60 eateries in the country that received the Selected award, third tier of the Michelin honour.

Miro co-owner Sharon Pierce said in New Zealand “we don’t have a true appreciation of the power of the Michelin; people … travel the world just because of the guide”.

As a “direct result” of the award she said the eatery, which served breakfast, brunch and lunch, planned to open evenings with an à la carte menu.